Dimorphic fungi | Figure 4.30
A: Sporothrix schenckii
(Courtesy of Sandra Arduin,
Michigan Department of
Community Health)
B: Coccidioidomycosis*
C: Coccidioidomycosis*
*Courtesy of Dr. Paul Getz |
(Figure 4.30A) - Sporothrix schenckii, dimorphic fungus found in soil, thorns, moss, and bark
- Risk factors: florist, gardener, farmer, miner, alcoholic
- Transmission via direct inoculation and inhalation (usually injury from splinter or rose thorn)
- Different forms:
- Lymphocutaneous: subcutaneous nodule ± ulceration with ascending lymphatic spread
- Fixed cutaneous: single subcutaneous nodule, ± ulceration, no lymphatic spread
- Disseminated: rare; involves bones, joints, meninges, pulmonary, and genitourinary tract
- Pathology: sporothrix asteroid body (yeast cell with surrounding eosinophilic fringe), also known as Splendore–Hoeppli phenomenon
- Colony: 25°C fluffy white → turns black; 37°C smooth cream-colored; conidia arranged in groups at end of conidiophore (flower-like) resembling daisies
- Treatment: itraconazole or supersaturated potassium iodide (SSKI) for lymphocutaneous form
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